20 Post-Workout Recovery Recipes

Exercise without proper nutrition is like solving an equation and then erasing your work. If you don't give your body the fuel it needs to recover from intense fitness efforts, you undo all of your gains. Even worse, you could get injured.

Being an athlete—whether you do Crossfit, take spin class, run marathons, or dance in pointe shoes—means being committed and informed. You don't reach your fitness goals without completely understanding your body inside and out, and part of that understanding is fueling it with the proper nutrients it needs to perform optimally.

For this reason, we spent a lot of time searching for recipes that fit into various athletic training nutritional profiles. An endurance runner, for example, needs a meal that is rich in carbohydrates and sodium because they have depleted both of those stores in their body throughout their run. A Crossfit athlete, however, needs a high-protein, low-carb, and moderate-sodium nutritional profile because they are doing most anaerobic exercise. So, be mindful of where you fit in but get a good jump start on intelligent refueling with these delicious and healthy recipes curated from around the web! And if you're also a protein powder pro, don't miss these 15 Genius Ways to Add Protein Powder to Foods!

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PASSION FRUIT POMEGRANATE BARK

Looking for a post workout reward that won't completely sabotage your efforts? This pomegranate bark is fat-free, low carb and rich in muscle-building protein. And the more protein you have on your body, the speedier your metabolism and the trimmer your figure! For the ideal PWO meal, aim for three pieces.

BROWN RICE SUMMER ROLLS

While this may not seem like a traditional post-workout food, its nutritional profile begs to differ. It's got enough carbohydrate, sodium and fat to replenish depleted stores, and protein to aid in muscle recovery. Hello, sixpack! Plus, it's light and refreshing, after an intense sweat sesh. For flat belly foods to avoid, check out these 25 Worst Foods for Your Abs!

PEANUT BUTTER JELLY MUFFINS

Peanut butter and jelly may be a childhood stable, but with satiating peanut butter and simple sugar jelly, it deserves a spot in your post-workout recipe file. It's ingredients are easy to break down for energy and won't leave you rummaging through your cabinets. And did we mention these are muffins and they're both dairy and grain free?

GOAT CHEESE STUFFED PLANTAIN RICE BALLS

If you're an endurance athlete, this one's for you. It's got 42.2 grams of energy restoring carbohydrate and it'll replace your electrolytes, like sodium, magnesium and calcium, that affect muscle functioning. For more fit foods, check out these 25 Best Foods for a Toned Body!

SWEET AND SALTY ENERGY BITES

These craving crushing energy bites come together in just minutes and contain some serious health boosting ingredients. Flaxseed, for example, fights cancer and disease, boosts your mood and lowers your blood pressure. While almond butter, on the other hand, whittles your waist. Make them before bed, portion them out, throw them in the fridge and grab them on your way out the door.

SUPERFOOD SALAD

From quinoa, pumpkin, avocado and kale to spinach, walnuts, and berries, this recipe is literally overflowing with nutrients. If you're looking for a lighter fare, this salad will deliver all the post-workout essentials and then some.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH HASH BROWNS

Sunday gym-goers are the real MVPs and deserve to be rewarded with a kick a** brunch. Eggs and hash browns got a makeover and it involves spaghetti squash—one of the most versatile low carb, low-cal veggies. We factored one egg and one egg white into the nutritional profile for this one. You're welcome.

HEALTHY SWEET POTATO SKINS

Don't worry, this recipe won't undo every rep, sprint or squat you completed. It will, however, restore low sodium and carbohydrate levels, while providing just enough fat, fiber and protein to keep you satisfied long after consumption. If you don't already, we high suggest you start incorporating sweet potato recipes into you weekly meal plan!

CAULIFLOWER TOTS

While we don't recommend you start munching on tater tots after a tough workout, we do suggest whipping up this cauliflower version. With half the carbs and one-third less fat, they're an ingenious way to sneak more veggies into your diet without undoing all your entire sweat session. To start losing weight today, check out these 10 Genius Tips to Lose 10 Pounds!

COFFEE PROTEIN SHAKE

If you're team rise and sweat, you'll love this post-workout coffee protein shake. With just three simple ingredients and a flawless nutritional profile, this on-the-go caffeinated meal is the answer to your morning prayers.

FARMERS MARKET ROASTED CHICKEN DINNER

Squeeze in a sweat sesh before you pick up the munchkins from daycare? No problem. This Roasted Chicken Dinner recipe is not only low calorie and sky high in lean muscle-building protein, but it's a wholesome dinner the entire family can enjoy.

CRANBERRY WHIPPED FETA PINWHEELS

Whipped cream cheese and feta, dried cranberries, green onions, and walnuts are rolled up inside a tortilla to create a complexity of texture and flavor. Easy, wholesome and perfect to consume after barre class.

DOUBLE CRUNCH SWEET POTATO FRIES

Sweet potatoes are one of the most well known superfoods. However, they're also a nutrient God in the exercise world. They rich is energy-boosting complex carbohydrates and satiating fiber, with minimal caloric costs. This recipe is a little higher in calories and carbs because we gave a hefty portion, but you'll need it when you're on an empty tank. Plus it's got 120 milligrams of sodium to restore the salt your body excreted during that intense aerobic workout.

MAPLE BANANA PANCAKE BITES

We get it. Your schedule is hectic. You don't have time to make an elaborate meal when you're running from spin class to work. However, there is a thing called meal prep and not only are these pancake bites to die for, but they're also easy to make, store and bring with you.

BAKED EGGS TOMATO CUPS

While you may be doing your sit ups in an effort to lose belly fat, if you don't eat the right foods, you won't see any results. Start your day with a two mile run, do your crunches and refuel with these baked eggs in tomato cups. They're super low in carbs, and bursting with satiating protein. And before you even think about ditching the yolk, they boast a fat-fighting nutrient called choline, so opting for whole eggs can actually help you trim down.

APPLE PIE PANINI

If you're a long distance runner, this Apple Pie Panini is a great post-workout meal option for three reasons: it's rich in carbohydrates that your body is void of and simple sugars, which can be easily broken down and used for fuel. More importantly, however, once the body depletes glycogen stores, it will start breaking down fat for energy. Thus, long distance runners need to also need to consume fat after their workout. Just skip the ice cream!

BELL PEPPER NACHO BOATS

With just 8.2 grams of carbs and 13 grams of protein, these "nachos" fit perfectly into your post-jog, express circuit training, or any sweat session that's 30 minutes or less. Since you haven't depleted glycogen stores, you don't need a high carb meal. You've undoubtedly used muscle fibers who need fuel. For more protein-rich foods, check out The 20 Best Proteins For a Flat Belly.

LOADED HUMMUS

Dress up your hummus with cancer-fighting red onion, muscle-building feta, antioxidant-boasting pomegranate, and belly-slimming chickpeas. Beans, like the can garbanzo beans in this loaded hummus, are rich in a special form of fiber called "resistant starch." This type takes longer to digest than other fibers, preventing blood sugar spikes and keeping you fuller longer.Pair it with hydrating cucumber to further aid in recovery.